On the evening of October 25th, Hospice of Amador & Calaveras held their 2nd annual Calaveras Live! variety show fundraiser at the Black Bart Theatre in Murphys. The sold out event proved to be a big success for the agency, raising over $19k in donations to help them continue their hospice mission.
The evening began with music by the Plan B Band and a wine reception featuring local wines and hors d'oeuvres, along with a raffle and fine art/antiques silent auction. Then each and every human emotion was touched as the audience was treated to an eclectic evening of entertainment that folks are still talking about weeks later. Hosted by Executive Director Dan Riordan, in a late-night comedic format, the crowd was in for some fabulous entertainment kicked off by a stunning performance by a special singing doctor, Dr. Ellen Edwards, and an amazingly talented jazz guitarist, brother Jack Riordan. Those in attendance were then treated to a rare event. Professional drummer and hospice patient Vic E. had a wish that he could leave a video for his 2 ½ year old son to enjoy when Vic is no longer here and Vic brought down the house with an emotional standing ovation. Mark Dyken enchanted the audience telling a heartfelt story while methodically beating out the rhythm to a mesmerized house. The first act ended with a masterful performance by singer songwriter, Grover Anderson.
The second act was kicked off by Ed Stewart, co-founder of Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) who delighted the crowd by coming on stage dressed as an elephant to share his beloved stories about his life with Pat Derby and about her passion for animal rights and his gratitude for the care shown to Pat by the Hospice team a few years ago. Then a heartfelt video interview with hospice patient Clint and his wife Marcia was shown, sharing how very grateful they are for the care they are receiving from their hospice team during this very profound time in their lives. Special Guest Star Las Vegas Headliner, Todd Paul was on fire with his absolutely inspired and hilarious performance from unicycles to card tricks to joke telling that had Riordan squirming in his seat. The special night concluded with Riordan singing Try and Catch the Wind while a beautifully crafted Memorial Tribute Video including pictures of loved ones that were submitted by many who were in the audience that night was displayed across the entire stage backdrop. Friends and guests alike left the theatre sharing hugs, smiles, tears and a lot of appreciation for the work that Hospice of Amador and Calaveras does in our community. Ron Regan of AssistCare Communities of Amador & Calaveras, one of the event’s major sponsors said “they were proud to be a sponsor for Hospice’s fundraiser and found the show to be spectacularly entertaining!”
The event’s major sponsors who made $1,000 donations included: American Legion Ambulance Service, Barron’s Abbey Flooring & Design, and the Mark Twain Medical Center, and with $500 donations each: AssistCare of Amador & Calaveras Counties, Calaveras Lumber, Danielsen Construction & Energy Management, Edward Jones, Danelle Dix Financial Planner, and Kelly’s Backflow Services.
Riordan said folks can look forward to this annual special fundraising event so mark your calendars for the end of October to see what others are talking about and to support Hospice of Amador & Calaveras; trusted by physicians, patients and families for over 30 years in our community, providing quality end-of-life care to everyone who needs it regardless of their ability to pay. If you would like more information about how hospice can help you, call Hospice of Amador & Calaveras at 736-9442 or visit them online at www.hospiceofcalaveras.org.
Posted by TSPN TV
